If approved, the union can use the threat of a strike as a bargaining chip to increase wages and protect against artificial intelligence when talks resume with companies such as Electronic Arts and Activision on September 26.
Two strikes are better than one! SAG-AFTRA announced last Friday that the union will seek approval to strike against major video game companies, including Electronic Arts and Activision. The strike, if authorized, would be in addition to the strike already underway against the film and TV industry.
The strike authorization would attempt to leverage wage increases and protections from artificial intelligence much the same as the strike already in place. According to Variety, “SAG-AFTRA is asking for an 11% retroactive increase in rates for video game performers, followed by increases of 4% and 4%,” the same request for film and TV studios which is currently being denied.
A SAG-AFTRA negotiator told CNN that the requested pay increases are not outlandish, and will simply help battle inflation. “The current pay offers are a nominal dollar increase but a real dollar pay cut,” they explained, and that, “our members will be making less in real dollars in 2025 than they did in 2020.”
“Once again we are facing employer greed and disrespect,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher recently stated. “Once again artificial intelligence is putting our members in jeopardy of reducing their opportunity to work. And once again, SAG-AFTRA is standing up to tyranny on behalf of its members.”
Originally, the union’s contract with the video game developers was set to expire last November, with a year extension to allow for the now failed negotiations. Talks are now set to resume September 26.
In response, video game spokesperson Audrey Cooling stated, “We all want a fair contract that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in an industry that delivers world-class entertainment to billions of players around the world. We are negotiating in good faith and hope to reach a mutually beneficial deal as soon as possible.”
Cybersecurity specialist by day, investigative journalist by night.
